Speaking during a Brexit debate organized by broadcaster ITV, Cameron who had previously rejected the notion of a second Scottish independence referendum, warned that a vote to leave the EU could lead to another independence push.
"You hear a lot of talk about patriotism in this referendum — as far as I'm concerned, I love this country with a passion, I think we're an amazing country, and I say if you love your country you don't damage its economy, you don't restrict opportunities for young people, you don't actually isolate your country and reduce its influence in the world."
Cameron 'worries about a second Scottish referendum' if we vote to leave. Never heard him confirm that before.
— Pete Wishart (@PeteWishart) June 7, 2016
"Frankly, I do worry about a second Scottish referendum if we vote to leave and you don't strengthen your country by leading to its break-up. So I'm deeply patriotic, I think this is a case for a bigger, greater Britain inside a European Union."
The prime minister took aim at Leave campaigners, saying the UK should fight to remain inside the EU, rather than taking the "little England" option.
Cameron says he's worried about a second Scottish independence referendum if England votes to leave the EU.
— Angry Salmond (@AngrySalmond) June 7, 2016
He should be. #itvreferendum
Indyref Comments Welcomed
Although many acknowledged that Cameron's comments were aimed at convincing people to vote to stay in the EU, some Scottish National Party (SNP) politicians, including the SNP's parliamentary spokesperson Angus Robertson, welcomed the remarks.
PM David Cameron acknowledges impact of Scotland being taken out of EU against wishes of Scottish voters #ITVEURef #VoteRemain
— Angus Robertson (@AngusRobertson) June 7, 2016
The intervention also reinforced the idea that a Brexit may lead to the break up of both the EU and the UK.
Euroskeptic movements across Europe have led calls for other member states to hold their own independence referendums, while in Scotland, it has been suggested that any vote to leave the EU would trigger a second independence referendum.
However, this suggestion that a Brexit would automatically lead to more support for Scottish independence has been rejected by some, with a recent poll finding independence views among Scots largely unchanged, even in the event of the UK leaving the EU.
Interesting: polls show Brexit wouldn't make Scottish independence any more likely at all. https://t.co/AQ4qrMCknG pic.twitter.com/8LcELJrHHl
— Jamie Ross (@JamieRoss7) June 8, 2016
Scotland voted to remain part of the UK during the 2014 vote, with 55 percent rejecting the proposal for independence.
